Risks posed to your vehicle by autumn leaves

Autumn can be a beautiful season, full of warm days and a welcome temperature change from those rare hot English summers. It is not all good news for motorists, however, so let’s take a look at the dangers autumn leaves pose to our vehicles.

Wet leaves can be slippery and dry ones combustible, and that’s just the start! They can also clog air vents and accumulate in the car’s air conditioning unit and the ventilation system. It is important to regularly clear them out; alternatively, if you are car leasing Leicester or Letchworth or anywhere else, make sure you check that this has been done.

Other issues

The sap, tannic acid and pollen found in fallen foliage is also a danger to our vehicles, proving abrasive to the paintwork. Leaf stains are notoriously hard to remove.

– Don’t park on a pile of dry leaves, as they are a fire hazard.
– Don’t drive over a pile of leaves, as they can cause hazards when stopping, starting or changing direction.
– Slow down as you approach large areas of leaves on the road, as this will reduce the chance of having a crash.
– Don’t park under trees for obvious leaf-related reasons.
– Consider investing in a car cover.
– Remove leaves from your car as soon as you can. Remember not to use a broom, as this might scratch the paintwork.
– Wash away leaf stains as soon as you can.
– Wax your car when the last leaves have fallen and we head towards the winter months.

It is not just leaves that you should be considering when driving in the autumn and winter. The AA has some great advice on seasonal driving safety.

Interesting facts

– Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice, as they contain a lot of moisture.
– A single oak tree can yield an astonishing 1.25 to 2 million fallen leaves. These can cover potholes and act as camouflage over kerbs, for example, which can cause damage to tyres and suspension systems. Worryingly, both of these can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle, so take care!